Sensenbrenner Reiterates Support of Cap, Cut and Balance Bill

This story was updated at 11:55 a.m. Monday after receiving a call from Sen. Alberta Darling's Madison office.

U.S. Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner (R-Menomonee Falls) on Sunday reiterated his support of a Republican bill that would pave the way for raising the nation's debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion.

The House will vote Wednesday on the legislation, which has been dubbed the Cut, Cap and Balance bill. The measure would allow for the debt ceiling to be increased if Congress passes a Balanced Budget Amendment. Sensenbrenner told his constituents at a Town Hall meeting that he will vote in favor of the bill on Wednesday.

Sensenbrenner told the 30 to 40 people at the meeting at Menomonee Falls Village Hall that House Republicans will support President Barack Obama’s request to raise the debt ceiling, only if he agrees to "cut up the credit cards."

"The vote will happen Wednesday, then it will go to the Senate. We’ll see what Senator (Harry) Reid and his colleagues to cogitate over that. I’m sure they’ll say this is a bad idea."

In the short term, the plan calls for a ratcheting down of discretionary spending of $111 billion for the fiscal year 2012. Cuts in spending will not include military benefits, Social Security or Medicaid. However, all else will be on the table. Sensenbrenner said the next few weeks aren’t going to be pretty.

"Everything else will be on the table because of our borrowing. What will go on for the next 16 days will be as appetizing as watching sausage being made," Sensenbrenner said. "I know I wouldn’t want to eat a brat if I saw how it was made."

In the long term, the Cut, Cap and Balance bill includes statutory and enforceable spending cuts that would decrease the amount the government is allowed to spend to 20 percent of Gross Domestic Product. Raising the debt limit would also be contingent on the passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment that would make it a constitutional requirement for the federal government to present a balanced budget.

Sensenbrenner said action is required soon, as the consequences for continued borrowing at the level would be dire.

"When we get to the point that we borrow about 40 cents of every dollar we spend – largely from China – we are in big trouble," he said. "If we don’t stop this soon, we will be in the same situation as Greece, where there are riots in the street."

Darling’s responsiveness questioned

Joining Sensenbrenner at the meeting were state Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and state Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford).

At one point during the session, two of Darling's constituents pressed her about the lack of response for a number of letters and e-mails they had sent to her office.

"I want to commend you for finally building a truly balanced budget," said James Brundage of Menomonee Falls. "But I do have a concern. I’ve written you several times but I have never received a reply.

"I’ve written other representatives and I always get a reply. I guess my question is, why aren’t you able to respond to our e-mails like most others?"

Brundage said he had sent several emails and letters without a reply. Darling said that she would look into the matter on Monday, and address his concern.

"Our office policy is to respond within 48 hours, and if we don’t we will write to the constituent and to tell them that we will get back to them," Darling said. "I’ll make sure I get to you tomorrow."

Another man said he had sent a letter to Darling, which he said her staff acknowledged receiving, but never heard back from the senator. Darling said she was never notified of the letter arriving at her office.

“Our policy is to respond within 48 hours, and if we didn’t, I apologize,” Darling said.

On Monday, Darling spokesman Bob Delaporte said staff addressed both inquiries from the men that spoke at the town hall meeting. Delaporte said Darling would also be contacting both constiutents.

A woman from Menomonee Falls spoke on behalf of Darling, saying the senator did respond to a letter that she had sent to her office.